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Jhinu Danda to Himalpani/Pokhara
Trekking Summary
| Start |
Jhinu Danda (1750 m) |
| End |
Himalpani (1700 m) |
| Distance |
~2-3 km |
| Elevation |
Max: 1750m (Jhinu Danda) Gain: ~200m, Loss: ~250m |
| Trekking Time |
1 hr |
Last day of trekking in Nepal! Very short day as walking took just an hour. I was told local bus from Himalpani leaves around 10am; there were later buses but I wanted to be in Pokhara reasonably early for cleaning up and securing ticket for Tourist bus back to Kathmandu the next day.
Walk, even if short, was again beautiful. Very long suspension bridge over Kimrong Khola drainage was quite interesting; longest bridge I crossed yet on Nepal treks. Despite appearance that might look frightening if you are not used to it, these bridges are quite safe; mule trains cross them daily. On the other side was brief ascent, followed by sunny walk to Himalpani bus station. I said goodbye to Fish Tail now barely poking behind green hills for the last time, then boarded the bus. Ride to Nayapul was short but still as unpleasant as public bus rides on these Nepal village roads get; I did not care, floating in my thoughts about leaving Annapurnas that were my daily company for the last month. In Nayapul, back to the “highway”, I took taxi instead of public bus and checked to hotel in Pokhara around 2pm. After washing and shaving I went to town for a good dinner then went to sleep early.
Early morning wake-up the next day as tourist bus to Kathmandu leaves ~7:30am from Pokhara bus park. Much more pleasant ride on Pokhara - Kathmandu “highway” still took 7-8 hours and I was in Kathmandu around 3pm.
Final few words about Annapurna Sanctuary trek (and trekking in Nepal Himalayas in general): It is iconic and worth every hype you hear about it. Few months after unexpected happened: Early 2020 Outbreak of COVID-19 Pandemic and global border closings, shutdowns etc. Our time on this planet is short: we don’t know what tomorrow brings, and if tomorrow might even come. So if you have a chance to trek Annapurnas (or trek in general!), don’t think -- just do it. There will be hardships but eventually what remains are memories. And they last the lifetime.
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Stone Stairs descending to long Suspension Bridge crossing Kimrong Khola drainage
